XP SP3 to reach most users 'shortly,' says Microsoft

[ronjor]

{QUOTE-> July 7, 2008 (Computerworld) Microsoft Corp. today said that it would begin pushing Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) to most users "shortly."

The announcement, made by Nick MacKechnie, a senior manager for Microsoft's New Zealand operations, was not unexpected, as the company had previously said it would release Windows XP SP3 to Automatic Updates sometime in the "early summer." <-QUOTE}Article (http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9107158)

[NICK ADSL UK]

Many thanks ron :)


Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release to Automatic Updates
{QUOTE-> Hi All,

Microsoft is committed to providing quality products to customers. As part of this commitment, we would like to remind you that Windows XP Service Pack 3 (SP3) will be released to Automatic Updates shortly. The third service pack to Windows XP includes the previously released updates and hotfixes to Windows XP, creating a new baseline for servicing.

Optional Actions

If you wish to prevent users from installing Windows XP SP3 through Automatic Updates, Microsoft recommends you take one or more of the following steps:

1. Download and deploy the Windows Service Pack Blocker Kit. The Blocker Toolkit is available in the Microsoft Download Center.

2. Deploy an update management solution that provides full control over the updates you deploy to computers in your network (Compare Update Management Solutions). IT Administrators using an update management solution should use their product’s standard features, rather than the Blocker Toolkit, to control SP1 distribution.



Additional Information

Windows XP Service Pack 3

· Windows XP Service Pack 3 Tech Center

Update Management Solutions

· TechNet Update Management Center

Update Management Solutions

· TechNet Update Management Center

· Comparing MBSA, MU, WSUS, and SMS 2003/System Center Configuration Manager 2007

· Windows Server Update Services

· Systems Management Server 2003/System Center Configuration Manager 2007




Nick. <-QUOTE}

http://blogs.msdn.com/nickmac/archive/2008/07/07/windows-xp-service-pack-3-release-to-automatic-updates.aspx

[NICK ADSL UK]

The day for this automatic download is scheduled for the 10/7/08

[dw426]

Thanks for the information, once I realized it didn't contain any new security patches and mainly just rolled all patches into one, and reminded myself I had an AMD processor, I didn't install and don't plan to.

[NICK ADSL UK]

Hi everyone :)
AS some of you may be aware in that Windows XP Service Pack 3 Release to Automatic Updates is imminent. Now should you find that this update is not to your liking or you should find any fault with this update you can always uninstall it and ask here on how to proceed

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249/en-us


Please note in that My personal experience with this update is that you may find some software will no longer work. Also please note that My own personal findings are that this is most unlikely for the vast amount of users but there will be some notably those of you who use certain Themes, Visual Styles, Skins, Wallpapers, Backgrounds, Icons, Cursors, Logons, Boot Screen types of software

[EASTER]

Oh no, not this again.

SP2 is more than enough given the mass of security vendors with improved products as well as new introductions with latest innovations.

Microsoft with XP SP100's will never match the talents of these technical geniouses, and only wastes a good users time, whcih seems to be a common trend that raises it's ugly head occasionally out from that camp.

NO thank you!

[dw426]

{QUOTE-> Oh no, not this again.

SP2 is more than enough given the mass of security vendors with improved products as well as new introductions with latest innovations.

Microsoft with XP SP100's will never match the talents of these technical geniouses, and only wastes a good users time, whcih seems to be a common trend that raises it's ugly head occasionally out from that camp.

NO thank you! <-QUOTE}

Lol, I waited a LONG time and kept saying "screw it, I don't need it". And what do I do? Today I installed it and I'm still alive...after a second attempt, it froze on the first, lol.

[EASTER]

{QUOTE-> Lol, I waited a LONG time and kept saying "screw it, I don't need it". And what do I do? Today I installed it and I'm still alive...after a second attempt, it froze on the first, lol. <-QUOTE}

Microsoft is an excellent designed of a skeleton or framework O/S, but thats where it ends abrupty, in their feeble attempt to pamper satisfied XP Users who for years fine tuned their systems to perfection, IMO, these type SP's only reverse or create issues that require nothing more than wasted time and effort on the users part.

For pity's sake, security vendors have XP mapped out better then microsoft from what i seen and read and i wouldn't chance ruining my perfected setup just for their PR campaign that claims to do this and that when more often then not, only screw up everything.

O/S framework makers they excel at, but when it comes to some of these SP's they seem to cause more trouble then their worth the time to add.

EASTER

[beethoven]

{QUOTE-> The day for this automatic download is scheduled for the 10/7/08 <-QUOTE}

I am a bit confused - is this the 10. July or the 7th of October? Because I had read about this intention a few days earlier, I prepared my backups and snapshots and upgraded myself. Fortunately everything is fine so far.
However, I do have some secondary rigs that are on still on xp2 - I did not see any notification or installation yesterday or today.

[Eagle Creek]

Does anyone know if the problems SPIII had with OEM HP Computers with AMD processors have been fixed with this release?

[NICK ADSL UK]

{QUOTE-> I am a bit confused - is this the 10. July or the 7th of October? Because I had read about this intention a few days earlier, I prepared my backups and snapshots and upgraded myself. Fortunately everything is fine so far.
However, I do have some secondary rigs that are on still on xp2 - I did not see any notification or installation yesterday or today. <-QUOTE}
It is the 10th of july :)

[NICK ADSL UK]

{QUOTE-> Does anyone know if the problems SPIII had with OEM HP Computers with AMD processors have been fixed with this release? <-QUOTE}
The service pack 3 was the problem as far as I'm aware and the fix can now be found here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/953356/

[Stijnson]

Is it absolutely necessary to 'upgrade' to SP3, if you keep SP2 fully patched?

Will a download/installation be forced somwhere in the future? In other words, will XP stop functioning (in the long run) without SP3?

I have set AU to show the available updates, but I decided whether I download and install them. Will this setting prevent the automatic installation of SP3 as well?

[ronjor]

I don't see a forced upgrade anytime in the future and XP will continue to run without it.

You won't get an upgrade with your settings as they are now.

On the other hand, there is really no reason not to upgrade in my opinion. The upgrade will do a little housekeeping on the operating system and in my case, it seems to run a little better.

Don't ask for statistics please. :D

I am using an AMD processor and the upgrade caused no problems on this custom built computer.

[Stijnson]

{QUOTE-> I don't see a forced upgrade anytime in the future and XP will continue to run without it.

You won't get an upgrade with your settings as they are now.

On the other hand, there is really no reason not to upgrade in my opinion. The upgrade will do a little housekeeping on the operating system and in my case, it seems to run a little better.

Don't ask for statistics please. :D

I am using an AMD processor and the upgrade caused no problems on this custom built computer. <-QUOTE}

Hi Ron, thanks for your reply. With these AU settings ('show new updates, but I decide when to download and install them'), will AU show that SP3 is available?

[ronjor]

{QUOTE-> will AU show that SP3 is available? <-QUOTE}Eventually it will.{QUOTE-> A Microsoft spokeswoman confirmed that July 10 is, in fact, XP SP3's automatic update debut, but cautioned that not all users would see it immediately. "As with all service pack releases, Microsoft will carefully monitor the release to ensure that all customers have a good experience," she said in an instant message reply to queries. "Once Windows XP SP3 is posted to AU [Automatic Updates], some users may see it right away; others may not see it for awhile." <-QUOTE}http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9107918